Now that the 49ers have gotten the mundane business of naming a starting quarterback out of the way, they can focus on the much more compelling issue of who will wear a cap and carry a clipboard as the team's third QB.

While coach Mike Singletary announced on Monday that Shaun Hill will be the starter for 2009, he has not yet designated a No. 3.

Huard, the been-there, done-that veteran in his 13th NFL season, and Davis, the rookie from Ball State, are on the depth chart behind Hill and No. 2 Alex Smith.

Hill will start tonight against the Cowboys and play at least the first quarter, while other starters on offense and defense figure to play the entire first half. Singletary did not announce a quarterback rotation beyond Hill.

Smith is out of the game with a sprained right thumb, meaning Huard and Davis will see significant playing time at the Cowboys' billion-dollar facility. It's not called the Dallas Palace or the Palace in Dallas, but there's no good reason why it should not.

Davis played the entire second half against the Raiders a week ago and completed 6 of 11 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. Huard played in the first exhibition game against Denver and hit on 7 of 9 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.

"I would like to be No. 3," Davis said. "I just want to do what's best for the team. If that's practice squad, that's what I'll do to help the team."

Davis might be the most intriguing rookie quarterback prospect the 49ers have ever had, given his background and physical skills. He has a dyslexia-like learning disability that makes it difficult for him to read and comprehend, a fact that was known going into the draft but did not stop the 49ers from picking him on the fifth round.

The fingers of one hand could be used to count the number of dyslexic quarterbacks in the NFL, with enough digits left to give someone a knuckle sandwich.

Davis reiterated that when it comes to football, he does not have a learning disability - as long as the material is in visual form instead of words. His playbook is full of diagrammed plays, which makes it easier for him to learn coordinator Jimmy Raye's offense.

"The biggest thing is staying with it, not getting frustrated," Davis said. "They give me pictures instead of words. You give me words, it's going to take me longer to understand. But if you give me pictures, it's easier to understand."

It takes about one pass for an observer to understand that Davis' right arm is a gift he was born with. With a flick of his right wrist, passes zip to receivers, getting from point A to point B at a velocity Hill, Smith and Huard could only dream of achieving.

"He does have a rifle arm," Huard said in admiration.

There's more to the Davis lore than just his fastball. At Ball State, Davis was famous for not using the laces to grip the ball. With his strong, meaty hands, he simply gripped the ball however it arrived on the center snap in shotgun formation and let it fly.

Fair weather or foul, he always wore gloves as well.

It's a shame Davis did not go to Oregon, because he's one odd Duck at a position that usually demands conformity.

"He does some throws with the laces, some without. Sometimes he has gloves, sometimes not," Huard said. "He's the new generation."

The easy thing would be to name Huard the No. 3 based on his experience and put Davis on the practice squad. The problem with that, however, is that on the practice squad Davis would be ripe for the picking for any team desiring him for its active roster.

It's not unheard of for a team to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, but that would leave the 49ers short at another position. If Davis is named No. 3 at the expense of Huard, he would give the team no NFL experience should something happen to Hill and Smith.

In the NFL, something happens with right regularity.

"Learning from those three, they're all veterans. They all give me so much help," Davis said. "They're just team players. It's coming along. I keep working, studying my playbook and keep building my confidence."

Veteran may retire: Tackle Marvel Smith, who did not make the trip to Dallas for "personal reasons," is reportedly contemplating retiring. He had offseason back surgery and was limited to a single practice during two-a-days. The 31-year-old from Oakland's Skyline High won two Super Bowl rings in nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barry Sims will start at right tackle tonight.

No meeting of minds: Despite Dallas being Michael Crabtree's hometown, general manager Scot McCloughan does not plan to meet with his No. 1 draft pick's representatives on this trip.